History

Like most of downtown Rochester, the history of Broad Street is linked closely with the Erie Canal. Until 1923, what is now Broad Street between the Erie Canal bed (roughly the intersection of Brown and Broad, near what today is the Route 490 underpass) and Lyell Avenue was known as Magne Street. The remaining portion of Broad Street essentially was the Canal.

In 1921, with the canal having relocated south some 15 years earlier, it was decided that a light rail system be located in the former canal bed. With this decision came an opportunity to construct a new bridge over the Genesee River to ease the load of the Court and Main Street Bridges. The former Erie Canal Aqueduct was incorporated into the subterranean portion of the new "Subway", and the roof of the new subway bridge became the Broad Street Bridge, and Broad Street was extended from West Main Street to Court Street.

This portion of West Broad Street is a mix of light industry, some commercial buildings, and a few residences. Sahlen's Stadium, located at 400 Oak Street, backs up to West Broad and is considered an important part of JOSANA.